Freel played in MLB from 2001-09, predominantly for the Cincinnati Reds. He was traded by the Reds to the Baltimore Orioles in December 2008 and appeared in nine games for the O's in 2009, before being dealt to the Chicago Cubs in May of that year for Joey Gathright. Freel finished his career with the Kansas City Royals later that season.

Freel appeared in 594 games in eight seasons, batting .268 with 22 home runs and 122 runs batted in.